Leaders must recognize that they are stewards and that organizations exist to serve the will and ways of the Creator. Economics should therefore be rooted in biblical truth about the will and ways of the Creator. The best sources of revelation about the will and ways of the Creator are Scripture (special revelation) and creation (general revelation). Since God funds his will, long-term success requires alignment with God’s economic principles, which are best revealed in Scripture. Furthermore, any principles gleaned from general revelation must be congruent with Scripture.

Gleanings - January 2017

Organizational leaders and managers must hire the right people (those in the process of transformation) and build cultures that support Christ-centered transformation. People limited to common grace have limited ability to reach their potential. Workers, however, who are being transformed by Christ are empowered to fulfill their potential. And in the process of fulfilling their potential, these people will facilitate organizational excellence by delivering world-class value to those the organization serves.

Gleanings - December 2016

From a Christian worldview, the starting point (arche') for economics must be sound biblical thinking about God and his purpose for mankind in history. All economic activity must support God’s purpose by enabling mankind to fulfill the Creation Mandate in the context of the metanarrative. This is the correct context to support economic activity. Economic activity executed based on common grace can only be marginally effective. Economic activity executed by true disciples of Jesus who are doing the will and ways of God will be efficacious in glorifying God and producing excellent value for those served. Wise management understands this reality and builds organizations based on discipleship.

Gleanings - November 2016

Organizational leaders must work to teach and train all stakeholders to think correctly about God, that is, to embrace sound (biblical) theology. Innate in all humans is the propensity to blame God for difficult situations and circumstances. Blame is bad theology and will lead to bad results. Sound theology is to take responsibility for our sin and its implications and to think correctly about God. Sound theology is the only antidote for the error chain of sin. And only sound theological thinking will lead to good results. Wise organizational leaders understand this truth and will build cultures designed to promote sound theology in the minds of all stakeholders.

Gleanings - October 2016

No organization can be all things to all people. Management must recognize the divinely appointed boundaries of an organization and function within those boundaries. There are divinely ordained principles that must be mastered to do this well. First, management must understand the nature of seasons and how to prioritize activities according to the seasons. Second, management must function in alignment with God’s limits such as identifying the right customers, the right scope of services, the assigned geography, and the correct timing. Third, management must adroitly steward time, talent, and treasure to accomplish the work assigned to an organization. And fourth, management must learn how to discern the requisite wisdom for leading and managing an organization based on knowledge gleaned first from Scripture and second from creation.

Gleanings - September 2016